'Bastian Per' is the project of the Argentinian 'Sebastian Properi' who has already released a first album 'Epic Journey' which was the subject of a short live in 2020 'Epic Journey' (Live at Sonic Theater' (which you can see the video above) and whose formation evolves between rock and progressive metal with influences of progressive groups with in mind 'Dream Theater' ('Derek Sherinian' is invited for a keyboard solo in 'Greatness Delirium'). They bring us a new studio recording, 'Way Back Home', which is a concept album, " which deals with today’s poignant humanitarian issues and self-inflicted harm. The new concept album confronts the listener with philosophical discussions and existential dilemmas without sacrificing a bit of the band’s musical creativity and poetry along the way. The story revolves around leaders who have lost their focus and questions the impact of human actions, planting the seed to awaken a desperate need for change. " (their Bancamp page').
After the short acoustic introduction 'A Better World', the first two tracks debut the album in inventive progressive metal reminiscent of the early 'Dream Theater' albums in the 90s, first with the instrumental 'Overture' which deploys some breaks in rhythm and intensity and which has three energetic minutes and the title decreases on the end with the use of a piano (a real one with a great sound) bringing a classical touch and showing the strong bond with the keyboardist 'Derek Sherinian', then, 'Defeat Device' is more direct with a fast rhythm and a sense of urgency throughout the title. Change of scenery with 'The Lonely Shepherd' in the form of a mid-tempo unrolling memorable melodic lines in a calmer atmosphere, then, crackling flames announces 'Through The Fire' with its typical heavy rhythm of progressive metal and atmospheric keyboards introducing alternations between verses supported by heavy guitar riffs and contained vocals and a memorable chorus with more powerful vocals. It is halfway through our journey and the ballad 'Seize the Day', introduced by a remarkable piano instrumental section reminiscent of the late 'Keith Emerson' and which increases the emotional cursor, then, no transition for a 'Deadly Virus' which offers a new more complex construction, alternating remarkable sung and instrumental parts and which, in 5 minutes, makes it a dense title rich in progressive components. With 'The Mystery Behind', we stay in an imaginative progressive sporting disturbing melodic lines reinforced by spoken sections, then, the second ballad break 'The Safe Place' puts forward the piano delicately accompanying the bewitching singing in a first part and which gains momentum in the second part with the contribution of electric instruments. 'Greatness Delirium',which follows, is a short instrumental with a beautiful demonstration of the talent of Mr. 'Derek Sherinian', in person, then, it is the turn of the title song and the only long development of the album to deploy a composition well summarizing the different atmospheres of the whole, bringing together sweetness and energy, with remarkable instrumental sections and an imposing finale, the opus ending with 'Divine Device' which highlights the vocal duo 'Sebastian Prosperi'/'Mariano Barreiro' in an imaginative new progressive title.
In summary, Argentina and more generally South America, is not, strictly speaking, a country specializing in progressive metal, but, it is clear that this second album of 'Bastian Per' is admirable and can be compared to the best formations of its kind and this 'Way Back Home' should join the ideal disco of any amateur or any lover of progressive metal... | |
